SOUTHINGTON - Residents will now have access to more healthcare options with less travel with the opening of Bristol Hospital’s new multi-specialty office on Main Street.

Hospital executives, Town Council members, local business owners and members of the Southington Chamber of Commerce gathered at the new office at 98 Main St., adjacent to the town green, for a ribbon cutting Thursday. The 2,000-square-foot space located in Suite 203 on the first floor, is home to five exam rooms and an X-ray suite. It includes eight medical sub-specialists and primary care physicians.

The suite is also decorated with soothing natural scenes from around town shot by photographer Mark Malasics. Patients can admire scenes of Panthorn and Recreation parks, Crescent Lake and more.

Kurt Barwis, president and CEO of Bristol Hospital, said that Bristol Hospital is glad to be expanding in Southington.

“This is a great community and a great location,” he said. “I’ve also personally come to the Apple Harvest Festival many times and enjoyed many of your local restaurants. We are glad to be here in significant force and we’re committed to bringing specialized and primary care that will expand as your community receives us.”

“Bristol Hospital is thrilled to have a new office in Southington, which is one of our areas that is experiencing the largest growth in patients,” said Chris Boyle, Bristol Hospital’s public relations director.

Taylor Crofton, executive director of the Southington Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the new office and said she was excited by the large turnout of the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“We’re glad that we have the kind of community that people want to come to and we’re thrilled to welcome you,” she said.

Council Chairman Chris Palmieri and members John Barry, Dawn Miceli, Victoria Triano also welcomed the new facility.

“You have always been a great neighbor to us and now you are part of the community,” said Palmieri. “You will be a great asset.”

Barry, who is a member of the regional health board, said that this type of facility will give residents options, which is important in healthcare.

“The Town Council sees the importance of business in Southington,” he added.

The current list of providers at the location include:

n Peter Bellezza, DPM, MS: Podiatry

n Christopher Betz, DO: Sports medicine

n Peter D’Addario, MD: Urology

n Roger El-Hachem, MC: Internal medicine (primary care)

n Jennifer McCallister, MD: General surgery

n Joseph Noonan, MD: Behavioral health

n Shweta Upadhyay, MD: Pulmonary medicine

n Li Zhu, MD: Family medicine (primary care)

The new office’s hours are Mondays from noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. To make an appointment, call 860-426-2851.

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.